Conveyor-belt sushi with a full lineup of non-sushi items, high-cost-competitive Saizeriya… Conclusion on the most cost-effective restaurant chain menus

–What do you think about family restaurants?

Nagahama: “Saizeriya” is probably the best restaurant under 1,000 yen. I recommend the “Arrostichini” (two grilled lamb skewers, 400 yen). Add “sauteed spinach” (200 yen) and a glass of red wine (120 ml/100 yen), and you’ll only pay 700 yen.

Yagyu’s lunch menu is also very reasonable. A combination of “100% beef hamburger steak” (600 yen with rice and soup) and a “lunch drink bar” (100 yen) is still only 700 yen.

Suda: However, the most cost-effective menu item at Saizeriya is the “Milanese Doria” (300 yen). No other restaurant in the world, let alone other companies, can offer a dish at that price that combines the delicious flavor of the meat sauce and richness of the cheese with a very satisfying eating experience.

In conclusion, the happiest menu item is…

— let’s move on to the conclusion. Which combination of menu items would make you happiest with a budget of 1,000 yen among the chain restaurants mentioned so far?

Suda: If you want to eat a full meal, I would still recommend the “Roasted pork cutlet set meal” at “Matsunoya.

Yagyu: The free refills of rice and miso soup are strengths that other chains do not have.

Nagahama My recommendation is “Sugitama’s” “Funazaki-Don,” which is outstandingly gorgeous among the costlier gourmet dishes that can be enjoyed for less than 1,000 yen.

Yagyu: The “Morning Beef Set” at Noya is also hard to beat. The best course would be to eat the “morning beef set” at “Noya” in the morning, enjoy the “funazari donburi” at “Sugitama” for lunch, and finish with the “roast pork cutlet set meal” at “Matsunoya” in the evening. You are sure to be happy (laughs)!

Nagahama: Beef bowls, fish, fried foods, and a good variety of genres, so you won’t get bored. Is this the conclusion of today’s discussion?

Suda, Shigemori, and Yagyu: No objections!

The heated debate among the four speakers lasted for two hours. The rush to raise prices is expected to continue into 2025, but if we take a closer look, we can see that there are still some great deals to be had.

From the January 3, 10, and 17, 2025 issue of FRIDAY